As we approach the Pennsylvania general elections on November 5, 2024, we have sought to provide yinz with some guidance. In every Pennsylvania county, voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on statewide races for president, U.S. Senate, attorney general, auditor general and treasurer.

Southwestern Pennsylvania Election Day 2024: What's At Stake?

Across Pittsburgh and the 412, Allegheny County will also be voting for two congressional seats, three state Senate seats, and 21 state House seats. The county, especially its politically diverse suburbs, could play a big role in determining which party takes control of Congress and both chambers of the state House.

The 17th Congressional District, which covers the western, northern, and eastern suburbs along with Beaver County, was decided by just 5 percentage points in 2022. It's one of the few districts nationwide that both parties are really focused on as we head into what looks to be a tightly contested race for control of the House of Representatives. 

Right now, the state House and Senate are split by just a few seats, and some swing suburban seats in Allegheny County might end up deciding who runs the show in Harrisburg.

The upcoming elections feature an array of important positions up for voter decision, such as the presidential race, U.S. Senate, attorney general, treasurer, and more. Pennsylvania, being a key swing state, holds significant weight in the determination of the national election results.

Election Day Details 

Election day is on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, with polling stations opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. Importantly, as long as you are queued to vote by 8 p.m., you're entitled to cast your vote. 

Registration Information

In terms of registration, the last day to register is October 21, 2024. Registration can be done online or submitted in person at your county election office.

Voting by Mail

For those eligible and opting to vote via mail, applications must be made before October 29, 2024, by 5 p.m. In the case of absentee voting, the process is similar to mail ballot voting but requires a valid reason for absence.

Pennsylvania Election Day 2024: Critical Races to Watch 

• For the Presidential contest, the choices include experienced politicians Kamala Harris, representing the Democrats, and Donald Trump for the Republicans. Chase Oliver stands for the Libertarian Party and Jill Stein for the Green Party.
• The U.S. Senate race includes Bob Casey Jr., Dave McCormick, John Thomas, and Leila Hazou, each bringing a unique set of experiences and skills to the table ranging from political tenure to entrepreneurship.
• The Attorney General's office sees competition from Eugene DePasquale, Dave Sunday, Robert Cowburn, Richard Weiss, Justin Magill, and Eric Settle. These candidates have varied legal backgrounds, including county prosecution, general practice, and even serving as the previous auditor general.
• The Auditor General race sees Malcolm Kenyatta, Timothy DeFoor, Reece Smith, Eric Anton, and Alan Goodrich as potential candidates, with the youngest candidate being just 21.
• William Petulla and Jeremy Shaffer are running in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 28 on November 5, 2024.
• Treasurer's office sees competition from Erin McClelland, Stacy Garrity, Nickolas Ciesielski, Troy Bowman, and Christopher Foster.
• The individual districts for the U.S. House have their own competitive races, with Summer Lee and James Hayes vying for District 12, and Chris Deluzio and Rob Mercuri for District 17.
• Pennsylvania State Senate Districts have Nicole Ruscitto and Devlin Robinson contesting for District 37, Jay Costa for District 43, and Nick Pisciottano and Jen Dintini for District 45.
• Finally, the Pennsylvania House sees Aerion Abney, Emily Kinkead, Matt Kruth, and Lindsay Powell contesting for the Districts 19, 20, and 21.

Make Your Voice Heard

Stay informed and make an educated choice in the upcoming elections. Your vote matters! We urge all eligible voters to participate, as your vote matters and shapes the future of your state and the nation at large.

Election Day 2024 FAQ

How can I check my voter registration?

You can check your registration here. You can search using your name, county, ZIP code, and birthday, or by entering your driver’s license or PennDOT identification card numbers.

How do I change parties?

To change your party affiliation, fill out the same voter registration form that you used to register the first time.

When filling out the form, select the box that says “change of party.” If you adjust your affiliation less than 15 days before the election, the change will not take place until the next election cycle.

How do I find my polling place?

You can find your polling place here by entering your address.

What else do I need to know to vote in person?

If this is your first time voting or your first time voting since changing your address, you’ll need to bring proof of identification.

This can include any government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or U.S. passport; a utility bill or bank statement that includes your name and address; or a military or student ID. See the full list of options here.

Can I still request a mail ballot?

You can apply for a mail ballot until Oct. 29, either online or through the mail. However, your complete application must be received by the county office by 5 p.m. that day.

Here’s the application. You’ll need to provide your name, date of birth, proof of identification, and signature.

How do I vote absentee?

The process to request an absentee ballot is similar to that for requesting a mail ballot. You can apply online or download the form and send it to your county election office. However, the application requires you to list a reason for your absence, unlike a mail ballot. You can find the application here.

Applications are due Oct. 29 by 5 p.m. and must be received by your county office by that time.

If you miss the Oct. 29 deadline, you can still request an emergency absentee ballot from your county election office if you experience an unexpected illness, disability, or last-minute absence. You can request one here.

I applied but still haven’t gotten my absentee or mail ballot. What should I do?

You can check the status of your absentee or mail ballot here. If you’re worried your ballot won’t arrive with enough time to return it, you can call your county election office for advice on how to proceed.

You can also go to your county election office to request a ballot and fill it out on the spot, or go to your polling place and vote in person on Election Day.

I’ve received my absentee or mail ballot. How do I return it?

First, make sure you’ve filled it out completely and followed all instructions, including dating the ballot envelope properly and using the inner secrecy envelope. Otherwise, your ballot may not be counted.

Everyone can return their ballot through the mail or by dropping it off at their county election office. Some counties also have drop boxes available. Find county contact information here.

Your county election office must receive your ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count.

If you have a disability that prevents you from returning your own ballot, you may fill out a form to designate someone else to return it for you (this form is also available in Spanish and Chinese). You must turn in the form with your mail ballot application, and the designee must have a copy on hand when they return your ballot.

Otherwise, plan to return your own ballot.

PITTSBURGH —Over-the-counter voting began Monday in Allegheny County and will continue on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the lobby of the County Office Building at Forbes Avenue and Ross Street in downtown Pittsburgh.

It will continue until the Oct. 29 deadline to request a mail-in ballot.

Allegheny County Satellite Voting Locations

Allegheny County will also provide over-the-counter voting at several satellite election office locations on select days in October: October 15, 16, and 17 at Soldiers and Sailors in Oakland, and during the weekends of October 19-20 and 26-27 at North Park, South Park, and CCAC Homewood.

At these satellite offices during those dates, you can register to vote, request a mail-in ballot (up until the October 29 deadline), complete your mail-in ballot, and return it to county staff at the site.

Over-the-counter voting has been available at the County Office Building in the weeks leading up to Election Day for the past several elections. Additionally, Allegheny County will have ballot return sites open for the seven days before Election Day, including the weekends of November 2-3 and Monday, November 4. For more details on ballot return and satellite voting sites, visit the Allegheny County website.